How to Make Jeans Softer

New jeans can be quite stiff and uncomfortable. The most natural way to make them feel softer is to simply wear them over and over again. However, if you'd like to speed up the softening process, follow the steps listed below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wash the jeans with fabric softener after each wear. The more you wash them, the faster they'll lose their rigid feel and become more soft.

2. Try using a lesser amount of laundry detergent when washing your jeans. Using too much laundry detergent may cause the fabric to feel stiff and inflexible. Give jeans an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the detergent is washed away. Also, add a pinch of salt to the water when washing a load only containing jeans. This will help to reduce the stiffness and release soap that may remain trapped in the denim.

3. Rub the denim with a piece of fine-grained sandpaper. This will not only soften the feeling of the denim, but will also create a worn, distressed appearance. Just be sure to evenly rub the entire pair of jeans to avoid patches of stiff denim.

4. Check labels when you're shopping for a new pair of jeans. Look for an indication that the jeans were subjected to enzyme washing before sale. Enzyme washing is a laundering process that some clothing manufacturers utilize to make jeans softer and more supple.

5. Wear the jeans as often as possible to help break them in.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your own judgement when handling your jeans. Some of the advice listed in this article may cause damage if not performed properly.